A holistic approach to the question of collective thought and formation of conventional ideas raises the question of "what is the positive functional purpose of

A holistic approach to the question of collective thought and formation of conventional ideas raises the question of "what is the positive functional purpose of conventional thinkers in society and civilization?" That "conventional thought serves as societal and civilizational balast" seems a satisfactory (and possibly obvious) answer. Independent thought exerts a displacing force on the collective mind. If this force exceeds the capacity of the collective to adjust ("far out"), the thought (and the thinker) is rejected. Successful independent thought moves but does not destablize the collective mind.